The African nations of Tanzania and Zambia have proposed change the Endangered Species status of African elephants to allow trade of ivory. But Kenya and Mali are leading an effort to stop them, saying lifting the ban would lead to increases in poaching on elephant herds.
And they have reason to be worried. From 2008 to 2009, illegal ivory seizures doubled, poaching death rate of elephants grew to nearly 10% and the price of ivory has ballooned to record levels.
From the International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development:
Kenya and Mali are leading an effort to block a proposal by Tanzania and Zambia to change the endangered species status of elephants and sell off stockpiles of ivory…
Tanzania and Zambia followed official procedures when they issued their proposal for consideration at the Fifteenth Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Conference of the Parties in March. But Kenya and Rwanda say that because Tanzania proposed the one-off ivory sale without consulting neighbouring countries that share elephant populations, they have betrayed the ‘spirit’ of conservation in the region.
The proposal, which was filed on 17 November 2009, seeks to “transfer the population of the African elephant, Loxodonta africana, from Appendix I to Appendix II” of CITES. Because Appendix I species are considered to be “threatened with extinction,” trade is only permitted in exceptional circumstances. However, if the African elephant is moved to Appendix II – species that are not necessarily threatened with extinction, but could be if trade is not controlled – avenues for trade will likely be opened up.
China and Japan would likely be the sole bidding countries if the ivory goes to auction, as the two countries have convinced CITES that their domestic regulations are capable of ensuring the ivory is not re-exported…
The African Elephant Coalition, a group of 21 member states opposed to the ivory trade, is arguing that the CITES panel charged with assessing the risk posed to elephants is downplaying the fact that auctions such as these can lead to increases in poaching.
Support the Elephant Ivory Project to save elephants from the illegal ivory trade.
PHOTO © Kyle Dickman, Epicocity Project
